The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-28
THE FORTY NINTH CONGRESS-
The Senate Passes the Measure Giving
Pensions to Dependent Soldiers,
And Also the Bill Establishing Agricultural
Experiment Stations-The House Passes
the River and Harbor Appropriation.


Senate that on Wednesday, Feb g. he would Of
fer proper resolutions and ask the Senate to take
action with reference to the life and services of
his late colleague, Senator Logan.
Mr. Dolph. from the committee on commerce,
reported resolution directing the Secretary of
War, through the Engineer Bureau, to investi-
gate the subject of salmon fishing in the Column
bla river, and to report whether the salmon
traps, wheels and nets used there are an obstruc
ton to navigation and commerce. Adopted.
Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, from the committee on
postoffices. reported back the bill introduced by
Mr. Edmunds on Dec. 10, 1885, to provide for the
establishment Of postal teleeraphic system,
with substitute which, he stated, consisted of
the eleven first sections reported by the postofice
committee of the Forty-eighth Congress. Placed
on the calendar
Mr. Cuilom offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Whereas Since March 81, 1885, the Secretary of
the treasury IN his monthly statements has treated
the fractional silver coin in the treasury portion
OF the cesn balance available therefore,
Resolved, That the finance committee of the Senate
De and directed to examine into this sub
ject and report whether additional legislation is
requisite to make the fractional silver coin held
IN the treasury part of the available cash balance;
and also, whether it will be not iudicous pro-
vide for having sucb frectonaI s;,ar no;r raco!nad
into standard silver dollars.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Hoar. yesterday,
in executive session, declaring that after the
Senate has refused its advice and consent 10 the
appointment OF any person to Office, 1t IS con-
trary to the spirit and intent Of the Constitution
to designate the same person to the same Office
Immediately thereafter, was taken up and re-
ferred to the committee on privileges and cleo
tons.
The resolution reported few DAYS since from
the committee on foreign relations. as to the
claim of William Webster for lands in New Zea-
land was taken up and placed on the calendar.
The railroad attorney bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Mitchell of Pennsylvania, moved that it
be postponed till o'clock tomorrow. and that
the Senate proceed to consideration of the de-
pendent soldiers bill
After long discussion it was agreed that the
railroad attorney bill be made the unfinished
business, and it will come up at o'clock to NOR
row: and the House bill for the relief of depend
ent parents and honorably discharged soldiers
and sailors who are now disabled and dependent
upon their own labor for support, was taken up.
Mr.. Mitchell advocated the bill. He said the
Republican side of the Senate was not entirely
satisfied with the bill, but they were willing to
accept what they could get at this time.
Mr. Frye asked whether this bill did not pen
sion all the soldiers engaged in the Seminole,
Mexican and other wars, entirely regardless as
to whether they had subsequently, gone into re.
belion against the government
Mr. Mitchell replied in the affirmative but said
that disabilities incurred in the service OF the
Rebellion were excepted
Mr. Frye suggested that the bill would open
the door to serious trouble If man had served
in the rebel army, was disabled by rheumatism
or any chronic disease. it would be utterly i'm
possible to determine whether the disease was
contracted while serving in the rebel army or
not
Mr.. Mitchell admitted that there would be diff
feulty in administering the law in such cases.
If 1t were an original question, he would not be
inclined to 60 so far on that point as this bill
went. But it appeared that at this time Con-
gress ought to be willing to put on the pension
roll men who had even served in the rebel army,
II they could satisfy the government that the
disability under which they labored was not in
| CURED in that service. The burden of proof
would be upon them.
Mr.. Cullom inquired whether $l2 month was
to be the highest or the lowest pension allowed.
Mr.. Mitchell expressed the belief that $12 was
to be the maximum, and that the pension would
be rated down according to the degree of disa-
| oility.
| Mr.. Sewell was opposed to opening the door.
as this bill did, to the pensioning Of men who
had served in the Confederate army He moved
to amend the bill by striking out the fourth sec
| ton and inserting the words nothing contained
| In this act shall be construed as repeating or
modifying Section 4716 of the Revised Statutes
"a section which prohibits pensions to men who
served In the Confederate army.
| Mr. Sherman expressed himself in favor oil
| some bill, broad and general in it's character
|
sion legislation that is necessary. As to pen
| sioners who had served in the Confederate army
the Mexican pension bill, passed at this Con
| gross, did not exclude them unless their disa
bility was Incurred in the rebel service He
| should, therefore, vote against the amendment,
| offered by Mr. Sewell. Having already passed
the Mexican pension bill. he suggested that i,
| would be better to insert in this bill reasona
BILE provision for.arrears in cases applied fol
| after 1880.
| Mr.. Teller regarded the bill as crude and ILL.,
| considered, but would vote for it. AS to the ex
tension of the provisions Of this bill to men whs
| had served in the Confederate army, he sug
| gested that while men sat in the Senate cham bel
| who had led the armies and directed the coun
| ellis Of the confederacy. it was too late to pre-
| clude from pension the men who had served
in the ranks Of the Confederate army, after hav
ing served in the Mexican or some other war.
Mr.. Van Wyck detained against al, higglin,
| over these bills while there were in the aims
houses of the country 80, 600 men who had Tough
/ for the flag
After further discussion. Mr.. Sewell Withdrew
| ment Of the bill would endanger its final passage
The bill was then passed without amendment
| and without division.
| Mr.. Edmunds presented letter received b,
him as chairman of the committee on foreign re
| lations from the Secretary of State. giving tn
revised and latest list of seizures and warnings
| ETC., of fishing vessels 10 Canada waters; and b
| asked that it be printed and bound with the com
mittees report So ordered.
The Senate then resumed consideration Of tn
agricultural experimentation bill.
Mr. Morgan offered an amendment requirin
the usual distribution Of seeds (now mad
through members of Congress) to be mad
through the presidents of agricultural colleges
who are to have the ranking privilege for tha
purpose.
After discussion, he withdrew the amend
ment, and had it referred to the committee o
agriculture
Mr.. Edmunds offered an amendment tina
nothing in the act shall be construed as bindin
the United States to continue these appropris
tions, but that Congress may. at any time, sui
pend or repeal all or any of the provisions of tn
act Agreed to.
The bill was then passed without division.
, directs the establishment in connection wit